Collaboration brings Women of Wonder, STEMinista to Farmington students

Farmington Public Schools,Farmington/Farmington Hills Education Foundation and Bosch collaborated to bring STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) programs to young women in November and December.

Students attended a STEM activity designed for young women at Bosch in Farmington Hills. (contributed photo)

Held at Bosch on November 11, Young Women of Wonder allowed 26 middle schoolers to hear first-hand from women engineers about their careers. The students also experienced a soundproof noise, vibration and harshness chamber, visited a rapid prototyping lab to see how a digital file can be printed to create real 3D objects, and competed in a Sphero Robot challenge.

Students learn about 3D printing at Bosch. (contributed photo)

During STEMinista, held December 9, at the Michigan Science Center, 16 young women spent the day exploring interesting facets within of the field of engineering, viewed the IMAX® film, Dream Big, engaged in a Q&A discussion, learned about coding, and programmed and learned how to fly a drone. They interacted with women engineers from Ford, General Motors, Google, Grand Circus and Digital Lungz, and IMX Cosmetics.

Among the activities during STEMinista was programming and flying a drone. (contributed photo)

The goal of the STEMinista Program is to spark and maintain an interest in STEM for middle school girls. The programs aim to engage students in authentic STEM experiences designed to increase interest, confidence, and skill sets in STEM.

In the spring of 2018, the STEMersion Saturday Series will return to help prepare students for future success by spending time touring and exploring STEM related careers at local businesses.

All of these programs have been orchestrated and supervised by Helen Kiefer, Farmington Public Schools’ Middle School Career Development Technician. To learn more, call 248-489-3472 or write to helen.kiefer@farmington.k12.mi.us.